Product Review: 5 Basic Questions to Answer

As a product reviewer, I hold the needs of other people in my hands. Every product is just as important as the next because, just like stock, big or small, it is an investment in someone's life.

With millions of products at our disposal, most consumers rely on product reviews when making purchasing decisions. Writing about what I purchase is how I contribute to the review process, as I am an avid consumer myself. But I also review products for the Amazon Vine Program.

There are three ethical principles to follow as a reviewer:

• Be honest and unbiased.
• Communicate your ideas and opinions in a clear and informative manner. Maintain the focus on the product.
• Sometimes you need to research to support your claims.

When writing reviews, I answer five basic questions about a product, regardless of its nature:

1. What is the name of the product?
2. What is the purpose of the product?
3. Does the product function as described, and if so, how?
4. What are the costs?
5. Does the product have an additional use that doubles its value?

Now, let's use these five questions with a mock product. 

You bought (or were provided with) a gray, white, and black 40-oz 3-D Rocky Mountain cup with a black, solid acrylic handle. It also has a lid flap.

Created by Author Using Bing Image Creator

The name of a product does not necessarily explain what it's supposed to be. Therefore, it's helpful to specify its purpose. For the sake of this example, let's say a creator named their product "Liquid Jug." It's an oversized cup.

Continuing with the Liquid Jug example, its purpose is to hold both hot and cold liquids. I would share my experience using the Liquid Jug, from enjoying ice-cold drinks to savoring hot cocoa.

I would discuss how long beverages stay cold and whether the cup sweats. I'd also discuss how long hot drinks remain hot and include an honorable mention of the cup handle.

Prices for products change frequently, so I don't mention the exact dollar amount. However, I'd like to assess the price at the time I post my review to determine if it is affordable, fair, or high.

My favorite part of reviewing products is discovering unique ways to use them, which can provide helpful tips for others.

For example, I'd use "Liquid Jug" as a starter container to plant parsley and rosemary. The handle makes it convenient to transport it back and forth from inside to outside.

Ultimately, a product reviewer aims to provide honest testimonies about their experiences with products. There's a need for every product; therefore, I continually invest time and words into helping consumers to enhance their lives.

As you write more reviews, you will become more proficient and learn to communicate more technical details if needed. But I usually follow the five basic questions to write unbiased reviews. Those are my recommended starting points for a review.

Next time you leave a review, will you use any one of the tips I shared? Let me know in the comments!